RashidQadri
A Personal Perspective on the World
In recent weeks, India has taken a series of actions that have strained already fragile relations with Pakistan but more alarmingly, these actions have crossed the line from diplomatic posturing into humanitarian disregard. Among the most heartbreaking examples is India’s cancellation of all visas for Pakistani citizens, including medical visas. With barely a few days’ notice, critically ill patients, including those awaiting or undergoing liver transplants, were forced to return to Pakistan. These are not political actors, these are human lives, caught in the crossfire of aggressive statecraft.
India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty on April 23, 2025, a long-standing agreement that has survived wars and hostilities since 1960, further deepened the rift. The move came in the immediate aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, for which India hastily blamed Pakistan without presenting credible or verifiable evidence. In fact, the pattern of pointing fingers across the border has become predictable, especially during sensitive political periods such as elections.
IndiGo’s Emergency Landing on May 21 Sparks Debate After Pakistan Denies Airspace Amid Storm Diversion Request
The recent emergency landing of the IndiGo Delhi–Srinagar flight on May 21, 2025, following turbulence and nose cone damage, ignited widespread debate. According to India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the pilot requested a diversion into Pakistani airspace to bypass a severe thunderstorm. The request was denied.
Media houses and certain political voices were quick to frame this as an unjustified denial but this view conveniently ignores the wider geopolitical reality. Pakistan had already closed its airspace to India on April 24, a direct response to the treaty suspension and the escalating hostility emanating from New Delhi.
History Repeats: From Pulwama to Pahalgam A Familiar Political Script
To anyone observing closely, the playbook isn’t new. We’ve seen this before in February 2019, when India, without credible evidence, accused Pakistan of orchestrating the Pulwama attack. What followed was a cross-border escalation in which an Indian MiG-21 was shot down by the Pakistan Air Force and the pilot captured 7 kilometers inside Pakistani territory. The pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, was returned promptly through diplomatic channels.
Rather than acknowledging the gesture as a move toward de-escalation and maturity, India’s mainstream media pushed a jingoistic narrative: that Pakistan released the pilot because it was “afraid.” This distortion not only undermined diplomacy but showcased a dangerous trend where public sentiment is manipulated to stoke nationalism, rather than informed with fact.
Weaponizing Nationalism, Silencing Accountability
The Indian government’s repeated use of Pakistan as a political scapegoat especially in the lead-up to elections is no longer subtle. Terrorist attacks within its own borders, often driven by local insurgency and internal unrest, are deflected toward an external enemy. The intent is clear: to create an emotional distraction, suppress dissent, and build a “strongman” image at home.
This time, it has come at an even greater cost. Denying medical treatment to foreign nationals, suspending diplomatic agreements, and then feigning surprise when neighboring countries reciprocate diplomatically all while orchestrating a media frenzy is a path to nowhere. It only isolates India further on the world stage.
Can Diplomacy Still Prevail?
In light of these escalations, India’s expectations that Pakistan should act cooperatively such as allowing emergency airspace access appear not only unrealistic but arrogant. Diplomacy is not a one-way street. It requires mutual respect, dialogue, and restraint, all of which are being eroded by India’s increasingly unilateral actions.
The global community is not blind to these patterns. There is growing awareness that India’s internal politics are now deeply influencing its foreign policy decisions often at the expense of peace and humanitarian values.
Summary
The events surrounding the IndiGo flight’s denied airspace request are not isolated. They are a symptom of a much deeper rot: the politicization of diplomacy, the disregard for international cooperation, and the abandonment of basic human decency in favor of electoral theatrics. Until these patterns are addressed honestly, sincerely, and with accountability, South Asia will remain trapped in cycles of mistrust and missed opportunities.
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Author Bio
Rashid Qadri is a Canadian businessman with ties across global markets. His international exposure has given him the opportunity to observe and apply best practices from around the world. With a background in technology and innovation, Qadri brings a logical and values-driven perspective to current affairs, with a particular interest in South Asian geopolitics, strategic affairs, and their impact on regional stability and business engagement.